Holy Week Comes to an End

For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2b

HOLY WEEK COMES TO AN END

During that last week, Jesus taught in the temple every morning. Every evening, he went to the Mount of Olives to spend the night. As the hatred of the religious leaders increasingly grew, they plotted to get rid of Him. Since they feared what His followers might do, they waited for an opportune time. They must have been happy when Judas made a deal with them to betray Jesus.

Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver for him. And from that time he started looking for a good opportunity to betray him. Matthew 26:14-16

While eating the Passover meal, Jesus made known to his disciples that one of them would betray him, but they didn’t understand. After finishing the meal, they went to the Mount of Olives, where Jesus told them they would all desert him. Peter was adamant that he would never leave, but Jesus warned him that he would deny him three times before the cock would crow.

THE LAST NIGHT OF PRAYER

There, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus began to pray. He was in anguish and sweating profusely, so much so that his sweat was like drops of blood. This was no easy task he was facing.

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”  Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.”  

Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. 

He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour?  Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:36-41

Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to keep watch and to pray, but instead, their eyelids became heavy, and they fell asleep. This happened not once but three times! Would I have acted differently, or would I have let my exhaustion get the best of me, too?

Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, 

“My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”  And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open.

After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? See, the time is near. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”  Matthew 26:42-46

JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE

Because of His love, Jesus went through that awful death. After the shame and agony of the beatings, the mocking, and the cruel death, He knew He would be restored to His place at the Father’s right hand. Still, that knowledge did not take away the awful pain and suffering he endured. 

I can’t imagine how horrible this was for his mother, Mary. She saw her son beaten almost beyond recognition and in great pain. She watched them nail him to the cross. Then, after much agony, with a loud groan, He gave up His spirit and died. (See Matthew 27:50-54)

I like to think that even with all the horror, Mary held on to a hope deep within her, the hope that He would be raised from the dead just like he said.

JESUS IS ALIVE!

The resurrection did occur in history; Jesus has risen as He said! He is now with the Father, interceding on our behalf. I don’t know about you, but that brings great comfort to me. Jesus has taken the penalty for my sin. He will never condemn me because of what he did on the cross. I can take comfort in knowing that Jesus loves me and is always with me.

Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.  Romans 8:34

Betrayal, Resurrection, and Untold Joy

A night spent in prayer
Then came a kiss to betray
What a bitter taste

But all was not lost
Lips of evil would bring death
A taste of turmoil

BUT

Out of death came life
A resurrected Savior
Taste this kiss of light

Jesus, born to die
Offered Himself in our place
Taste this gift of love

NOW

Everything is fresh
Death’s hold has lost its power
Come taste of new life

Morning breaks in song
Dew sparkles with sun-kissed light
Taste of untold joy

    He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness     of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Where do you stand this Easter? Have you found peace in the only One who can give true peace? I pray that you will find joy knowing Jesus loves and cares for all His creation. His love never ends.